The Wasilla City Council on Tuesday approved a package of resolutions authorizing the city to buy several private parcels and transfer funds in support of the airport master plan and a planned runway extension.

Council members voted to move roughly $400,000 within the airport fund and adopt six purchase-authorizing resolutions to acquire multiple parcels adjacent to the airport runway. Public Works Director Eric Shaw told the council the items are the “first batch of private property that we seek to acquire so that we have the runway safety zones that we need for the expansion of the runway.”

Why it matters: City officials said the purchases are meant to meet Federal Aviation Administration geometry and safety requirements so the city can extend the runway first to 5,100 feet and ultimately to 6,000 feet, which they say will allow larger aircraft and support future airport growth. Shaw said the city is using an FAA-compliant acquisition process so future FAA funding and support will not be jeopardized.

Shaw and staff described the effort as the initial group of parcels on the southwest end of the runway. The council packet and a map shown at the meeting list several parcels; the first group considered at this meeting were identified as the parcels the city has prioritized because developers had begun clearing lots in the area. Shaw said the city engaged HDL (airport consultants) and amended that contract to assist with acquisitions because FAA rules require a specific process to document valuations, relocation allowances and easement language.

Financing and risk: Finance Director Cassie (last name not provided in the record) told the council the city will first use nearly $1.4 million received from the governor that remains available for airport work, then tap prior-year CIP funds, and reallocate $400,000 that had been set aside for an airport water main extension. Cassie said the city is “currently expending the funds that we received from the governor,” and staff showed a projected funding plan that counts on an anticipated $3 million federal/state appropriation still pending congressional action and administrative processing.

Council members pressed staff on timing, appraisal and the possibility of landowners refusing offers. Shaw said the properties involved in this initial package had owners willing to sell at the prices shown in the packet and that the city had offers under negotiation. He said if voluntary purchase negotiations failed the city’s FAA-compliant process could lead to further steps, adding that having agreements in place avoids the problem of a house being built in a runway protection zone (RPZ) and later needing removal.

Several council members expressed concern that owners might price parcels higher once they knew the city wanted them for airport expansion. Councilmember Crafton, who asked multiple questions in the discussion, said the city was at risk of paying a market premium because owners could capitalize on the city’s stated need. Shaw acknowledged that negotiating with developers who had begun site work influenced the order of parcels pursued.

What the council approved: By unanimous voice vote with no objections, the council adopted a transfer of $400,000 within the airport fund and authorized the mayor to sign purchase agreements for the specific parcels presented in the packet. Staff described the combined requests at the meeting as “just under $800,000” for the properties being authorized; staff projections show additional acquisitions and closing costs will require further funding if the full parcel list is completed.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue negotiations on remaining parcels, complete appraisals and return to council for additional authorizations or budget adjustments as needed. Shaw emphasized the city’s intent to align purchases with FAA procedures to preserve eligibility for future federal support.